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Judah P. Benjamin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Judah P. Benjamin

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Auction Date:2018 Dec 05 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
British-born American politician and lawyer (1811-1884) who, after serving in the US Senate and rejecting nomination to the Supreme Court, served variously as attorney general, secretary of war, and secretary of state for the Confederacy. Scarce ALS signed “J. P. Benjamin,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, October 12, 1872. Written from "Temple—London," a letter to Mrs. Bradford, in full: "Just as I had made up my mind to write to you (with the enclosure you will find) I received your very kind and welcome letter of the 10th—I was reading at breakfast this morning one of my weekly Law Journals, and the obituary on Mr. Justice Giles struck me as containing some passages (which I have underscored) that form a complete answer to all your tribulations and distrust about Willie—I don‘t sympathize with you in the least—I am glad to hear that he is not ambitious, that he is fond of play, that he is crazy for boating and fishing, knowing as I do that he is a voracious reader and that body and mind are both growing and developing together. It is all very well for pedagogues to complain when a boy with Willie‘s exceptional abilities won't 'go in for honors' that reflect credit on them, and that they should appeal to the natural pride of a mother for aid in over-stimulating youthful emulation, but I don‘t believe the least bit in this hot house forcing of young intelligence—let the fruit ripen hardily in the open air and bright sun—Give me a boy with an inquiring mind, fond of reading, and then let him have the usual opportunities for study under competent instructions, after that ‘leave him alone.‘ Let the influences of collegiate life, the quiet impression produced by the reverence and respect paid to eminent learning and scholastic attainments in the little world where he lives produce their natural effect, and sooner or later, if not in the university, then in after life, all that is strong within him will reach full development, and he will be a man.

The love of study can‘t be forced: it reveals itself sooner or later in every fine mind and then it comes at last. One month of the labor of love is worth all of the enforced attention to tiresome tasks that at Willie’s age can be obtained. However, there‘s no use in preaching and that nothing you nor Bradford will assert to can bring comfortable philosophy on the subject. I am truly glad to hear that Bradford's symptoms are less distressing than they were here, and I cheerfully give you the victory in our dispute about English climate, and in the face of such good news—a thousand kind memories and good wishes to you both." In fine condition, with a couple of light tape stains, and a small edge chip.